Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Fest 2011
March 28 - April, 3 2011
Feature Region: Spain
Global Focus: fortified wines

photo credit : David Niddrie via Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival

Each year they come, from around the world to celebrate, introduce and attempt to sell wine into an important Vancouver (and Western Canadian) market. Principals from wineries both large and small, will arrive in Vancouver to tender their vinous merchandise at: dinners, sit down tastings, parties and to attendees in the all important international tasting room.

Tickets for one of North America's most important consumer and trade wine fairs, went on sale in the third week in January promising some pretty impressive events and even more stunning wines.

What to taste during the wine festival...
 

International Tasting Room
177 wineries pouring more than 1000 wines -
a do not miss tasting event $95
Thursday night March 31
Friday night April 1
Saturday night April 2

Spain


Telmo Rodriguez

Rodriguez is a bit of a Spanish wine maverick. He is charming and loves to talk. When he does, he engages you with his abundant passion for old vines and traditional wine styles.
He is vocal about his dislike of generic wines (those without a sense of place) and is not afraid to voice his opinion on those who tear up beautiful old bush vines in order to plant in modern trellis systems - to increase density and volume.
He firmly believes in growing only indigenous Spanish varieties and in non-interventionist viticulture.

He makes fantastic wines, wine that do represent a place, and he makes them in numerous regions around Spain (Rioja, Cigales, Galicia, Toro, Ribera del Duero. You can take a sensory tour of his vineyards at the tasting table in the International Tasting Room.

To Taste: the lineup Basa Vino Blanco - Rueda, Lazanga - Rioja, M2 de Matallana Consecha - Ribera, Vina 105 Cosecha - Cigales.

More from Spain

Codorniu Penedes - Legaris Crianza, Cuvee
Raventos, Vina Zaco Tempranillo.

Vega Sicilia, Rioja
Get spoiled with this 2004 Alion (right) during the Vega Sicilia vertical tasting seminar  on Wed. March 30th at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Bodegas Faustino, Rioja - Faustino 1 Gran Reserva (read review), Faustino, Faustino V Reserva.

Freixenet, Penedes - Elyssia Pinot Noir Cava, Brut Reserva 07 Vintage

Segura Viudas, Cava/Penedes - Segura Viudas Brut Vintage 06/07, Vionta Albarino, Reserva Heredad

Bodegas Palacio - Glorioso Reserva

Miguel Torres, Penedes - Celeste, Mas La Plana

Bodegas Ercavio, La Mancha - Ercavio Tinto, Tempranillo Roble

Juan Gil, Jumilla
Taste the hedonistic, ripe and fragrant old vine Monastrell (right) from Juan Gil at España: Savour the Flavours on April 2nd at the VCC.

Martin Codax Rias Biaxas Albarino 2009 (read review)

Mas Que Vinos Ercavio Tempranillo Roble 2008

Australia

Langmeil, Barossa Valley  
the Sunwarmed berries, chocolate and eucalypt notes in this elegant Barossa Shiraz
can be indulged in, at the Langmeil Freedom Shiraz tasting at Gotham.
In the tasting room:
Three Gardens (Shiraz, Grenache Mourvedre)
Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon, Orphan Bank
read about Langmeil here

Peter Lehmann, Barossa Valley - Eight Songs Shiraz, Mentor Cabernet Sauvignon, Stonewell Shiraz
read about Peter Lehmann here

Robert Oatley, Mudgee  - Robert Oatley Shiraz and Chardonnay

Shingleback, McLaren Vale - Shingleback Shiraz, Shingleback Cabernet Sauvignon
Read about Shingleback here

St. Hallett, Barossa Valley- St. Hallett Faith Shiraz, St. Hallet Blackwell Shiraz.
Read about St. Hallett here

Yabby Lake, Mornington Peninsula - Cooralook Pinot Noir,
Cooralook Chardonnay.

Argentina
Read more about Argentina in my article High Society in Vines Magazine
here

Finca Decero, Mendoza - to taste: Syrah Remolinos Vineyard 2007, Petit Verdot Remolinos Vineyard 2008
read more about Decero here

Dominio Del Plata, Mendoza - to taste: BenMarco Malbec 2008,  BenMarco Expresivo 2008
read more about Dominio del Plata here

Dona Paula, Mendoza - to taste: Estate Torrontes 2010, Seleccion de Bodega 2007

Graffigna, San Juan - to taste: Grand Reserve Torrontes 2010, 
(photo right: Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio)

Humberto Canale, Patagonia - to taste: Estate Pinot Noir

Luigi Bosca, Mendoza - to taste: Reserve Brut Nature NV, Malbec DOC Lujan de Cuyo 2008

Pascal Toso, Mendoza - to taste: Finca Pedregal 2006, Alta Reserve Syrah 2007 (photo right: Toso Brut NV)

Familia Zuccardi, Maipu - to taste: Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2007, Zuccardi Zeta 2007
read more about Familia Zuccardi here


 

California

Caymus Winery, Napa/Sonoma/Monterey
Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir, Belle Glos Meiomi, Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay (photo right)
read about the Wagner family here

Miner Family Vineyards, Napa Valley - Simpson Vineyards Viognier, The Oracle, Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Ravenswood -  Teldeschi Zinfandel, Belloni Zinfandel

Rodney Strong, Sonoma - Reserve Pinot Noir, Reserve Chardonnay, Rockaway, Symmetry

Signorello, Napa Valley - Seta, Signorello Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Fuse

Stags' Leap, Napa Valley - Stags' Leap Cabernet, Stags' Leap Petit Syrah, Stags' Leap Merlot

Chile

It is obvious that most of the wineries in attendance from Chile are well known and all produce good wine – some are more premium but all are solid.

Cono Sur – producer of great entry level and premium wines that are sustainable, organic and are well regarded in the wine industry.
To taste: 20 Barrels Chardonnay 2009 and 20 Barrels Pinot Noir 2008
(photo below right: Cono Sur Chardonnay)

Vina Caliterra - Vina Caliterra was a joint venture between Eduardo Chadwick (Errazuriz) and Robert Mondavi in 1996 in Colchagua. It is a company and produces consistent, well-made organic and sustainable wines. To taste: Limited Edicion Carmenere Malbec 2007, Cenit 2007

Vina Errazuriz – to taste: Single Vineyard Carmenere 2008, Single Vineyard Syrah 2008
read about Errazurriz here

Concha Y Toro - to Taste: Maycas de Limari Syrah 2009, Terrunyo Carmenere 2007
read about Concha Y Toro here
(photo right: Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon)

Casa Lapostolle – to taste: Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Clos Apalta 2008

Montes – Highly regarded internationally and home to some of my favorite wine labels - to taste: Chardonnay 2009, Montes Folly 2007, Alpha M 2007
read about Montes here

Miguel Torres – to taste: Cordillera Chardonnay 2009, Cordillera Carinena Merlot 2008
read about Miguel Torres Chile here

Vina Santa Rita – one of the most well established and recognized Chilean producers in our market – to taste: Casa Real 2005, Triple C 2005
read about Santa Rita here

Read more about Chile here

France

I visited the following three producers when I stayed in the town of Tain l’Hermitage while touring the Rhone Valley last spring.

Cave de Tain - They are a co-op that has impressed me with the quality and flavour of many of their wines. To taste: Saint Peray Fleur de Roc 2009 (white), Saint Joseph Esprit de Granit 2007 (red)

M. Chapoutier -known for not only fantastic, award-winning wines but for their famous Braille labels and organic viticultural practices. To taste: La Bernadine Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2008, Les Meysonniers Crozes Hermitage 2008

Delas Freres - started in the 1830s in Tournon sur Rhone (a town across the Rhone river from Tain) and is still located nearby, at the foot of the Saint-Joseph vineyards but is now owned by Champagne Deutz – now under Champagne Roederer. To taste: Delas Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette 2007
(photo right: Delas Cotes du Rhone)

Champagne Deutz - to taste: Cuvee William 1999

Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy – to taste: Chablis Drouhin Vaudon 2009, Chablis Premier Cru 2009

Dourthe – to taste: Clos de Los Siete (Argentina) 2008, Chateau de Serame Minervois (Languedoc) 2007

Ogier Caves des Papes – I visited Ogier while traveling through the Rhone Valley last spring. I was able to not only stop in their tasting room and tour the caves but see the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. Then recently, a visit from Jean~Pierre Durand, President of Ogier, brought the vineyards of Ogier, via soil samples to Vancouver for a tasting and dinner.
To Taste: Oratorio Gigondas 2009 (read review), Clos de l’Oratoire Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007
Perrin & Fils – to Taste Les Christins Vacqueyras 2008, Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2008
(photo right: Ogier Crozes~Hermitage)

Pierre Sparr, Alsace – to taste: Riesling Altenbourg Estate Single Vineyard 2002, Cremant de Alsace Brut NV

Pfaffenheim, Alsace – to taste: Steinert Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2007, Steinert Grand Cru Pinot Gris 2007

Germany

Balthasar Ress, Rheingau - to taste: Ress Hattenheim Nussbrunen Auslese 2007, Ress Reichartshausen Riesling 2008, Ress Schutzenhause Riesling Kabinett 2008
read about Balthasar Ress here

Schloss Schonborn – to taste: Erbacher Macrobrun Kabinett 2009, Erbacher Macrobrun Spatlese 2008

St. Urbans-Hof – to taste: Bockstein Ockfen Riesling Kabinett 2009 Goldtropfchen Piesport Riesling Spatlese 2009

Schloss Reinhartshausen, Rheingau – to taste: Prinz von Preussen Riesling 2009, Schloss Reinhardthausen Riesling dry 2008
read about Schloss Reinhardtshausen here

Portugal

Aveleda – to taste: Follies Alvarinho 2009

Quinto do Crasto – to taste: Quinta do Crasto Old Vines Tinto Reserva 2008, Quinto do Crasto LBV Port 2005

Quinta do Vale Maria – to taste: Dona Maria Vintage Port 2008 Dona Maria Douro Tinto 2008

Symington
Graham’s Port – to taste: Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port 1999
Dow’s Port – to taste: 20 year Old Tawny Port NV
(photo right: Dow's LBV Port 2005)

Taylor Fladgate - To taste: 30 Year Old Tawny Port NV



Italy

Antinori  - world famous, and needing no real introduction, the Antinori offerings are all good - but with limited time taste: Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico 2007, Tignanello Toscano 2007, Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore 2007
read more about Antinori here

Azienda Vitivinicola Accordini Igino, Veneto – to taste: Amarone della Valpolicella Le Bessole 2005, Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2007
(photo lower right)

Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico – I stayed at the Badia and visited the Coltibuono winery during a visit in 2008. Principal Emanuela Stucchi-Prinetti’s family has a fantastic history (as does the badia/abby) and not just in wine.
To taste: Cultus Boni 2004, Chianti Classico Reserva 2006
read more about Coltibuono and the 11th century abby here

Bastianich – to taste: Sauvignon B 2010, Vespa Bianco 2010, I Perazzi 2009


Fontanafredda - to taste: Barolo D’Alba Serralunga 2005


Ca’ del Bosco – to taste: Cuvee Prestige Franciacorta NV


Rocca della Macie – to taste: Roccato 2005, Ser Gioveto 2005
 

New Zealand

Having just returned from an extensive tour of New Zealand's wine regions I am still reeling from the unquestionable diversity and wonderful wines found in the land at the end of the earth.

Astrolabe - a family run label owned by Jane Forrest Waghorn with her husband long-time, respected New Zealand winemaker Simon Waghorn. To taste: Durvillea Pinot Noir 2009, Voyage Pinot Gris 2010

Sacred Hill – started by entrepreneurial twenty-something brothers David (Managing Director) and Mark Mason and a winemaker named Tony Bish in 1986. Tony is still the winemaker and Sacred Hill has gone on to become one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wineries. To taste: Sacred Heart Riflemans Chardonnay 2009, Deerstalker Syrah 2007

Kim Crawford - to taste: Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010

Man O’War - located on the island getaway of Waiheke, less than an hour ferry ride from Auckland, the Man o’War (named for Man O’War Bay by Captain James Cook) piece of paradise is a stunning collection of steep hillside vineyards, indigenous trees, sheep, cattle and beaches – the wines are inspiring too. To taste: Dreadnought Syrah 2009, Ponui (another small island close to Waiheke) Pinot Gris 2009

Giesen - to taste: The Brothers Sauvignon Blanc

Oyster Bay - to taste: A big company with an awesome state-of-the-art winery Oyster Bay will be introducing their Sparkling Cuvee Brut to BC and it will be available to taste. Also the Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009 is fresh & juicy.

Mud House – to taste: Swan Reserve Tier Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009.
Waipara Riesling 2010
 

South Africa

Boekenhoutskloof, Franshoek
Meet maverick South African winemaker Marc Kent and taste his famous "The Chocolate Block" red blend in the International Tasting Room and at Meet Your Match on April 2nd at the VCC

Tasting Room: Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah

Graham Beck - Graham Beck Brut, Graham Beck, The Ridge, Single Vineyard Syrah.

Glen Carlou - to taste: Grand Classique 2006/07, Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2008
read more about Glen Carlou here

Nederburg, Paarl - Winemaster's Reserve Riesling, Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon
read more about Nederburg here


British Columbia

Hester Creek, Okanagan
If you are familiar with Hester Creek already, you'll be pleased to hear about some very positive changes. Hester Creek has undergone an extreme facelift over the past few years: new ownership,
a new winery, a new tasting bar and guest center
(take a breath now) plus a phenomenal set of luxury villas and a teaching/demonstration kitchen and soon an on-site restaurant....

Under what Hester Creek is referring to as The Next Chapter, you'll also notice some attractive new labels (not all wines will be modeling the new look quite yet) that are unarguably a huge improvement over the current ones. Second you'll notice a trio of new wines - the fresh and approachable Character white and red are multi-varietal blends under screw-cap and the premium, limited edition red blend is named, The Judge.
(right :new labels for Hester Creek)

I have yet to taste the new Character wines (which refer to the character of Hester Creek - terroir and style), but I did taste the The Judge 2007.
What impressed me about the most recent vintages was the improvement in quality of the wines, now that they are being made in the new winery with new equipment.
These are clean, fresh wines that show the terroir of the Hester Creek vineyards and style they hope to maintain.

To taste at VPIWF: I recommend the Semillon~Chardonnay 09 and 08 Reserve Cabernet Franc. If it is being poured, taste The Judge 2008, if it's the current 2007, I recommend you skip it.
To find at a store: Pinot Blanc 2009 and the equally affordable Cabernet-Merlot 09

Tantalus, Okanagan - Old Vines Riesling, Riesling

Sandhill, Okanagan - Small Lots Sangiovese, Small Lots Viognier

Quails' Gate, Okanagan - Fortified Vintage Foch, Chenin Blanc, Family Reserve Pinot Noir

Painted Rock, Skaha Bench - Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Icon

Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan - Old Vines Riesling, Gewurztraminer

Herder, Similkameen Valley - Josephine

Mission Hill Family Estate, Okanagan - Perpetua, Quatrain, Compendium, Oculus

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